PCPhoto
Cool Gear: What’s New In Projectors? |
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 The slim Casio XJ-S35 uses an advanced condenser lens and light source to deliver images with 2024 ANSI lumens of brightness. Packed with features that include a 2x wide-angle zoom lens, native XGA (1024 x 768) resolution and wireless capability that allows up to four laptops to share the projector at one time, the compact XJ-S35 weighs less than four pounds. You can also leave the laptop at home and project directly from a USB memory device. The projector keeps its cool using a high-pressure fan so you can quickly pack up and go. Estimated Street Price: $1,299. Contact: Casio, (973) 361-5400,www.casio.com.  The Epson PowerLite 1700 series of projectors weigh less than four pounds, display XGA resolution with up to 2,700 ANSI lumens and offer wireless projection of full-screen MPEG-2 video with audio at 30 fps. A Quick Connection Mode makes establishing a fast (up to 54 MBps) connection between the computer and projector easy. Memory devices and computers plug directly into the projector via the USB 2.0 port, which can be used along with the VGA input for connecting two computers to the projector simultaneously. A powerful optical engine delivers crisp images with accurate color using Epson’s 3LCD technology. Estimated Street Price: $1,299 to 1,799. Contact: Epson, (800) GO-EPSON, www.epson.com. Combining mobility and power, Hitachi’s CPX1 3LCD projector boasts XGA resolution, 2,000 ANSI lumens and a wide-angle lens in a 3.9-pound body. It also contains a USB reader for easy connection and a whisper mode that cuts down the fan noise so your audience isn’t distracted. Other features include automatic vertical keystone correction, quick start-up, a 500:1 contrast ratio and various resolution options. Estimated Street Price: $895. Contact: Hitachi, (800) HITACHI, www.hitachi.com.
Fill up a 60-inch diagonal screen using the versatile, palm-sized Mitsubishi PK20 PocketProjector. It’s two inches thick and weighs 1.1 pounds. The DLP projector uses eight LEDs to produce 25 ANSI lumens of brightness. Keep in mind that it’s designed for ultra portability and should be used at close range in dim lighting. The LEDs have a rated life of 10,000 hours. You can connect it to a laptop or to any Composite Video or S-Video source like a digital camcorder. The PK20 offers native 800 x 600 resolution, a 1000:1 contrast ratio and has an SD card slot. Estimated Street Price: $780. Contact: Mitsubishi, (888) 307-0349, www.mitsubishi-imaging.com;
The Sony VPL-EX3 weighs in at 6.4 pounds, features a bright 1.2x zoom lens and provides XGA resolution and 2024 ANSI lumens. The user-friendly LCD projector accepts a wide range of input sources, including computer signals up to SXGA resolution and high-definition video. The VPL-EX3 supports a maximum screen size of up to 300 inches with 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. Estimated Street Price: $889. Contact: Sony, (800) 222-SONY, www.sony.com.
The Toshiba TDP-FF1AU Mobile Projector can project up to a 68-inch diagonal image and comes with a foldable 23-inch diagonal display screen. Less than two pounds, the multimedia projector travels nicely while providing 400 lux of brightness, native 800 x 600 resolution and a sharp contrast ratio of 1500:1. The LED light source lasts for up to 10,000 hours and doesn’t heat up the projector, eliminating cool-down time. It also means there’s no need for a fan, so it operates quietly. Estimated Street Price: $699. Contact: Toshiba, (800) TOSHIBA, www.toshiba.com.  |
Canon
